When I first started watching the show, Rarity was easily my least favourite pony. Hardest for me to sympathise with. However, I think Rarity is an acquired taste. I've come to love her, and she's probably replaced the Pinkie Pie/Fluttershy tie as best Mane Six. Here's why.

1. Her Hypocrisy

Originally, this is the mane reason I cited for disliking Rarity. However, I've come to disagree with my old view.

Nopony's perfect, and as the Element of Generosity, she's probably the pony who most easily breaks her Elemental Spirit. But so do several others, to some extent. AppleJack often lies or stretches the truth when the time calls for it. Fluttershy is Flutterbitch on several occasions. Pinkie Pie... Well... Try Party for One on for size. And Rainbow Dash... Well, as the Element of Loyalty, you think she wouldn't put her friends behind her competitive spirit so often. This is easily shown at an extreme in Hurricane Fluttershy where, ignoring a sick pony in her determination to be the best, and nearly ruining their shot at completing their mission entirely, more focused on boosting Fluttershy's measly wingpower than paying attention to the contagion spreading through the rest of the group. Considering that all the elements break their elements occasionally, it's fine for Rarity to. In fact, since it's usually just for comic effect, Rarity's offenses are actually lesser. It doesn't hurt that Rarity always makes me laugh.

2. Her Artistic Ability

Well... as an artist... I gotta say, Rarity knows what she's doing. It's always impressive to see her creations. Fairly self explanitory.

3. I can relate

I've come to realise that I can actually relate to Rarity and her problems a great deal more than I'd like to admit. My relationship with my middle brother is not unlike Rarity's with Sweetie Belle in Sisterhooves Social, and therefore, that's one of my favourite episodes. Because I can relate to the love-hate sibling relationship.

4. I totally dig her colour scheme

'Nuff said.

5. Tom the Rock

Also 'nuff said.

6. Disproving the stereotype

Underneath the overdone beauty, love of fashion and awesome (yet undeniably pompous) accent, Rarity really does a good job of denying the 'diva' stereotype. But to see it, you have to look a bit deeper. Usually she plays up to that stereotype for comic effect, yet she isn't afraid to get her hooves dirty for her friends, and definitely isn't fragile. Didn't she deliver a flying judo kick to somepony's face during the Return of Discord, part two?

In short, Rarity is new best mane six. Tank is best pet. And Vinyl Scratch/Octavia is best pony tie.